Original post date:
Sunday, July 15, 2007
I really don't know how to start this post. A lot has happened since the beginning of the month. I basically caught in the planning stages a mother trying to pimp out her twelve year old daughter to some guy in a back alley. It was pretty late in the day and I was patrolling behind the Iraqi Police station. There was not much I could do because it was an Iraqi matter and also I couldn't really prove it. However, the was pretty nervous and scared when we started to question him. When we allowed him to leave, he didn't waste anytime leaving. The mother's house has at least six children in it. I don't know if they are all hers or some are her daughters. The mother used to be a prostitute until she got up in age and now she teaches it to her daughter. It is like horrible cycle, the blind leading the blind. Well at least I stop it this time..
We had over 40 mortars hit the IZ, killing 3 and injuring over 12 in one day. This week we had more rocket attacks that have took 4 more lives. One was an Iraqi while he was praying. I didn't have to respond to that one, however the patrol that did respond said the body was still in the kneeling position. I was lucking I only had to deal with minor injuries.
There are a lot of numbers my chain of command relays to me and my comrades. How many rockets the insurgents got in their latest shipment; How many insurgents were killed in the last raid the army conducted; How many mortars and rockets hit the IZ to date (215), How many people have been killed in the IZ (30), How many injured (over 40).
I like this one..47...how many days I should have left here.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
June
Original post date:
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Well a lot has happened since the last time I wrote a blog. We had an IDF attack about a little over a week ago that basically shook two of the airman up better bad. I was one of the first responders to it. I was getting the cordon and securing the scene when we heard the whistle of more IDF's coming in to our location. They started to hit all around us. The two airman live pretty close to where this happened. I guess when it hits this close to home, you start to realize the severity of the situation. Being here and dealing with these situations affects me, but these two airman need to realize that they have a job to do and sometimes that job puts them in harms way. I am worried that if I am posted with them, they might be more of a burden than a help.
I offended one the of interpreters. I was only joking with her. She wanted to smoke and we needed to get get back to work. I said I was losing control of my "terp" (is what our nick name is for the interpreters). I only said it a couple of times and I really didn't mean anything by it. When I was dropping her off, she exploded and basically said I didn't control her and she never wanted to talk to me again. Personally, I feel that what I said wasn't half as bad as what other people say in front of the interpreters and I think she over reacted. Now, she basically ignores me and I do the same. When I am posted with her, I only talk about business and what tasks are at hand. I considered her as a friend and this situation bothers me. However, I have bigger things to worry about here and I need to keep my focus on my job.
June was one of the busiest months here and it taken a toll on my coworkers. Even the interpreters stopped calling this the "Green Zone," because with over 20 people dead and many more wounded, this is hardly safe place anymore.
Luckily we only have about two more months before we leave. Two more months of escort violations, weapons seizures, rockets, injuries, and deaths. Two more months of dealing with some of these people.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Well a lot has happened since the last time I wrote a blog. We had an IDF attack about a little over a week ago that basically shook two of the airman up better bad. I was one of the first responders to it. I was getting the cordon and securing the scene when we heard the whistle of more IDF's coming in to our location. They started to hit all around us. The two airman live pretty close to where this happened. I guess when it hits this close to home, you start to realize the severity of the situation. Being here and dealing with these situations affects me, but these two airman need to realize that they have a job to do and sometimes that job puts them in harms way. I am worried that if I am posted with them, they might be more of a burden than a help.
I offended one the of interpreters. I was only joking with her. She wanted to smoke and we needed to get get back to work. I said I was losing control of my "terp" (is what our nick name is for the interpreters). I only said it a couple of times and I really didn't mean anything by it. When I was dropping her off, she exploded and basically said I didn't control her and she never wanted to talk to me again. Personally, I feel that what I said wasn't half as bad as what other people say in front of the interpreters and I think she over reacted. Now, she basically ignores me and I do the same. When I am posted with her, I only talk about business and what tasks are at hand. I considered her as a friend and this situation bothers me. However, I have bigger things to worry about here and I need to keep my focus on my job.
June was one of the busiest months here and it taken a toll on my coworkers. Even the interpreters stopped calling this the "Green Zone," because with over 20 people dead and many more wounded, this is hardly safe place anymore.
Luckily we only have about two more months before we leave. Two more months of escort violations, weapons seizures, rockets, injuries, and deaths. Two more months of dealing with some of these people.
17
Original post date:
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Today, the IZ got hit with indirect fire three separate times with a total of 17 rockets. It started out pretty slow. Baghdad has been on a curfew every since Al Qaeda blew up a Shite Mosque. So traffic was non-existent and nobody was walking around. However, around 1500hrs we had about six rockets hit. We responded to one that cause a fire, we contained it the best we could with our fire extinguishers. My patrol was ordered to stay and wait for EOD. At 1530hrs, we got hit by 5 more rockets, which two of them hit adjacent to us and one hit within 300 meters. We jump in the vehicle to drive to better cover. I know that this was going to happen sooner or later. When the insurgents would try to target the responding forces to rocket attack with another volley to hit the same spots the first volley hit. We got our vehicle stuck in a mud hole and took cover in an abandoned building.
Then another 6 rockets the IZ. We jumped into our vehicle and I had to respond to a part of the International Zone that is recognized as the "Yellow" zone. Which means the security there is almost as bad as being in the rest of Baghdad. I only had my Alpha and my interpreter. I tighten the security around my patrol and briefed what we would do in event of an attack on us. There is a price on soldiers head of over 40,000 dollars if captured alive. I ask my interpreter if he can fire pistol. If it came down to it it wouldn't have been only the three of us.
Today my fellow security forces members witnessed probably the worse barrage of indirect fire into the IZ to date, with chaos, death, and destruction. We have past my last deployment in number of IDF attacks. I hope somehow all this we are going through will amount to something.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Today, the IZ got hit with indirect fire three separate times with a total of 17 rockets. It started out pretty slow. Baghdad has been on a curfew every since Al Qaeda blew up a Shite Mosque. So traffic was non-existent and nobody was walking around. However, around 1500hrs we had about six rockets hit. We responded to one that cause a fire, we contained it the best we could with our fire extinguishers. My patrol was ordered to stay and wait for EOD. At 1530hrs, we got hit by 5 more rockets, which two of them hit adjacent to us and one hit within 300 meters. We jump in the vehicle to drive to better cover. I know that this was going to happen sooner or later. When the insurgents would try to target the responding forces to rocket attack with another volley to hit the same spots the first volley hit. We got our vehicle stuck in a mud hole and took cover in an abandoned building.
Then another 6 rockets the IZ. We jumped into our vehicle and I had to respond to a part of the International Zone that is recognized as the "Yellow" zone. Which means the security there is almost as bad as being in the rest of Baghdad. I only had my Alpha and my interpreter. I tighten the security around my patrol and briefed what we would do in event of an attack on us. There is a price on soldiers head of over 40,000 dollars if captured alive. I ask my interpreter if he can fire pistol. If it came down to it it wouldn't have been only the three of us.
Today my fellow security forces members witnessed probably the worse barrage of indirect fire into the IZ to date, with chaos, death, and destruction. We have past my last deployment in number of IDF attacks. I hope somehow all this we are going through will amount to something.
Practis
Original post date:
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Today I responded to a escort violation with about 23 people. They were part of a Personal Security Detail for a company called Practis located Kirkuk, Iraq. They weren't authorized to be in the IZ and found an abandon house to set up camp. It shows how much the IZ is secure when a group of armed individuals could go through a military checkpoint full of weapons without proper ID. Nobody heard of their company and they couldn't provide the current authorization letter or even a current ID to show they were authorize to be in Iraq. The situation turned into a weapons seizure with over 30 weapons.
I was in charge going through to clear the house and then to provide security over the 23 individuals. I knew from the start they were going to probably be escorted out of the IZ. However, finding out they were Kurdish and if they were kicked out into Baghdad it might mean certain death. Once they were told they were going to be kicked out without their weapons, there was almost a riot. We took order and luckily one of their supervisor's calm them down. They were going to have to go out into Baghdad on foot without their vehicles. However their boss, which was a US citizen, waved the right for to stay at the embassy. He volunteered to escort the Kurds back to Kirkuk, without weapons.
So there I stood watching the Kurds cry and say goodbye to other boss, basically feeling that they would be killed on their way back home. Before all this, I was talking to some of them and they were telling me about their families in Kirkuk, and other personal things. I had to keep my distance from my personal feelings and remember my duty to uphold the law. I can still see one of them staring at me with such hatred that only minutes before offered me a cigarette and told me how he enjoyed working for the Marines years ago.
Luckily our commander allowed them to take some of their weapons for their convoy back to Kirkuk. I put the blame on their supervisor that got them into the IZ and didn't follow proper protocol and put his men lives on the line. The worst part of it all was he wasn't the one that left with them. He choose to go to the embassy to be expelled from Iraq. The victims were the Kurds that worked for this company that did not even exist. I will be praying tonight they made it back to their families. Sometimes I feel that I can't be in Law Enforcement, civilian or military, anymore. I just want to be home with my dogs and wife, away from this country. 3 1/2 more months.........
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Today I responded to a escort violation with about 23 people. They were part of a Personal Security Detail for a company called Practis located Kirkuk, Iraq. They weren't authorized to be in the IZ and found an abandon house to set up camp. It shows how much the IZ is secure when a group of armed individuals could go through a military checkpoint full of weapons without proper ID. Nobody heard of their company and they couldn't provide the current authorization letter or even a current ID to show they were authorize to be in Iraq. The situation turned into a weapons seizure with over 30 weapons.
I was in charge going through to clear the house and then to provide security over the 23 individuals. I knew from the start they were going to probably be escorted out of the IZ. However, finding out they were Kurdish and if they were kicked out into Baghdad it might mean certain death. Once they were told they were going to be kicked out without their weapons, there was almost a riot. We took order and luckily one of their supervisor's calm them down. They were going to have to go out into Baghdad on foot without their vehicles. However their boss, which was a US citizen, waved the right for to stay at the embassy. He volunteered to escort the Kurds back to Kirkuk, without weapons.
So there I stood watching the Kurds cry and say goodbye to other boss, basically feeling that they would be killed on their way back home. Before all this, I was talking to some of them and they were telling me about their families in Kirkuk, and other personal things. I had to keep my distance from my personal feelings and remember my duty to uphold the law. I can still see one of them staring at me with such hatred that only minutes before offered me a cigarette and told me how he enjoyed working for the Marines years ago.
Luckily our commander allowed them to take some of their weapons for their convoy back to Kirkuk. I put the blame on their supervisor that got them into the IZ and didn't follow proper protocol and put his men lives on the line. The worst part of it all was he wasn't the one that left with them. He choose to go to the embassy to be expelled from Iraq. The victims were the Kurds that worked for this company that did not even exist. I will be praying tonight they made it back to their families. Sometimes I feel that I can't be in Law Enforcement, civilian or military, anymore. I just want to be home with my dogs and wife, away from this country. 3 1/2 more months.........
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Day at the beach.
Original post date:
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Today was my day off and was the first quiet day in awhile. It was good to relax for a complete day and not hear the incoming alarm for rockets or explosions. Yesterday a few rockets hit adjacent to my trailer, when I was on the phone with my Mom. She called when she was sitting on the beach outside her apartment. Right during the middle of IDF attack, my mother (not knowing what was going on) asked if I wanted to hear the waves crashing. It gave me a little bit of home when I really needed it.
I really don't know if having a phone that my family can call is a good idea. I don't know if they ever hear the explosions or alarms, but I know they probably noticed my pause and something is not right. I normally tried to give a reason to get off the phone without worrying them.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Today was my day off and was the first quiet day in awhile. It was good to relax for a complete day and not hear the incoming alarm for rockets or explosions. Yesterday a few rockets hit adjacent to my trailer, when I was on the phone with my Mom. She called when she was sitting on the beach outside her apartment. Right during the middle of IDF attack, my mother (not knowing what was going on) asked if I wanted to hear the waves crashing. It gave me a little bit of home when I really needed it.
I really don't know if having a phone that my family can call is a good idea. I don't know if they ever hear the explosions or alarms, but I know they probably noticed my pause and something is not right. I normally tried to give a reason to get off the phone without worrying them.
Another day, another round of mortars
I really do not know how to write about today. The day started out pretty slow. I was Police 5 and my only major responsibility is to conduct Checkpoints at random locations throughout the IZ. We detained an Iraqi for not being properly escorted. While we were waiting for his supervisor to come, I noticed a young man about my age walking down the road wearing a T-shirt that said SADR CITY. I really didn't think about it until around 1600hrs when the insurgents launched over 10 mortars at densely populated area. The unfortunate part is my patrol was driving in area at the time. One mortar hit about 50 meters behind us. After the first 3 to 4 of them, my first reaction was to try to look for the impact sites and see if their was any injured. When the mortars kept hitting around us, we drove out of the area to wait for the IDF to stop. At that point it was a matter of officer safety. It felt like explosions would never stop. I have to give it to my alphas Collins and Young.
We did a great job after we took a few breaths and calmed ourselves down. After lighting up a cigarette the first thing I thought of was that man wearing that dam T-shirt and how anyone can support a name like that in this country when Sadr causing more death and destruction than the US ever did over here.
With all the mortars only 2 people died and few people were injured. I was surprised with that number. Our unit did great providing care and comfort to the people and getting the information up to the Tactical Operations Center.
We did a great job after we took a few breaths and calmed ourselves down. After lighting up a cigarette the first thing I thought of was that man wearing that dam T-shirt and how anyone can support a name like that in this country when Sadr causing more death and destruction than the US ever did over here.
With all the mortars only 2 people died and few people were injured. I was surprised with that number. Our unit did great providing care and comfort to the people and getting the information up to the Tactical Operations Center.
Proxy War
The US needs to call this war in Iraq what is really is over here. A war with Iran and the front-lines with Al Qaeda. The main setback for us here is the Iraqi government themselves and mainly their Prime Minister Malki. Malki is more of an ally to Iran than the US. He issued an order recently for the US to leave Sadr City alone. Sadr City is the main stronghold of Shia Militias funded by Iran. The US needs to tell Malki to pick a side and if he picks Iran, he is our enemy. Then the US needs to take out Malki. I haven't talk to one Iraqi that supports Malki and most of them say he was only elected because Iran influenced the vote.
If I don't come back from here, it is because of the violence Iran and Al Qaeda are causing.
If I don't come back from here, it is because of the violence Iran and Al Qaeda are causing.
IZ 13
Original post date:
Friday, May 04, 2007
That last few days have been pretty active with rocket attacks. However today was pretty slow, until the end. Since nothing was going on, my patrol decided to give candy to a bunch of Iraqi children that live in this abandon section in District 13. First it was going pretty well, until the end when 3 to 4 older teenagers started to assault each other and the parents started to get involved. I asked my translator to tell them to stop or we were going to call the Iraqi Police. The whole situation got extremely worse when the two families started to throw bricks and hit each other with sticks. I was trying to call for backup, which my partner's radio wasn't working. I got my patrol members back to vehicle and stood by for back up. The radio operator said to stand down and leave. I took some flak from higher ups for not leaving as soon as the fight happened. Personally I felt since we are the IZ police. We at least needed to stand by until the Iraqi Police came. The only thing I regret was asking my translator to tell them to stop or we were going to call the IP's. It wasn't her fault for her going to try to help.
Friday, May 04, 2007
That last few days have been pretty active with rocket attacks. However today was pretty slow, until the end. Since nothing was going on, my patrol decided to give candy to a bunch of Iraqi children that live in this abandon section in District 13. First it was going pretty well, until the end when 3 to 4 older teenagers started to assault each other and the parents started to get involved. I asked my translator to tell them to stop or we were going to call the Iraqi Police. The whole situation got extremely worse when the two families started to throw bricks and hit each other with sticks. I was trying to call for backup, which my partner's radio wasn't working. I got my patrol members back to vehicle and stood by for back up. The radio operator said to stand down and leave. I took some flak from higher ups for not leaving as soon as the fight happened. Personally I felt since we are the IZ police. We at least needed to stand by until the Iraqi Police came. The only thing I regret was asking my translator to tell them to stop or we were going to call the IP's. It wasn't her fault for her going to try to help.
Too many chiefs in Washington
Original post date:
Thursday, April 26, 2007
I really want to write about how people really need to realize the war in Iraq is the front-line against Al Qaeda and Radical Islam. If we leave it will mean a major victory for that idelogy. With all this going on here, Congress is talking about how they want to start withdrawing combat troops out of Iraq by this October. That is basically retreating. I understand there should not a blank check on the war. I see the corruption, fraud, waste, abuse and the millions of dollars wasted over here. Congress should demand over-watch of the money being spent here. However when it comes down to Congress thinking they should play Field Commander from over 10,000 miles away in Washington is just moronic. If we leave this too soon, future generations of Americans will pay for it.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
I really want to write about how people really need to realize the war in Iraq is the front-line against Al Qaeda and Radical Islam. If we leave it will mean a major victory for that idelogy. With all this going on here, Congress is talking about how they want to start withdrawing combat troops out of Iraq by this October. That is basically retreating. I understand there should not a blank check on the war. I see the corruption, fraud, waste, abuse and the millions of dollars wasted over here. Congress should demand over-watch of the money being spent here. However when it comes down to Congress thinking they should play Field Commander from over 10,000 miles away in Washington is just moronic. If we leave this too soon, future generations of Americans will pay for it.
Iraq, one step forward, two steps backwards...
Original post date:
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Today started off pretty well. I saw the Iraqi Police actually be proactive and cordon off a suspicious abandoned vehicle parked on the side of the road. When my patrol showed up, they already had the street blocked and waiting for is K9. Around 5pm the IZ got hit by over 10 rockets. Luckily nobody was killed. The Iraqi Police showed up to one of the impact sites and helped direct traffic. They requested American to help because people didn't want to listen to them. I tried to explain to them that they need to portray a stern image and do not back down when people don't want to listen to them. It's really hard to make them realize if the people do not respect them. They also wont' trust them when a emergency happens. This is one of the many problems I see in this country.
The Iraqi Police did piss me off today. Some were talking down to one of our Iraqi translators, because she is a woman. I wanted to say something. However, she told me I didn't want the Iraqi Police to used me standing up for her against her. She said this is Iraqi culture, and do not worry about it. I wanted to say this is why their country is so screwed up and if more Iraqis were just like our friend the US wouldn't have to be here right now.
I am very fortunate to have the people I work with here. I feel they bring out the best in me. Every incident I see how well our team performs. Sometimes a mistake happens, but we just learn from them. Everyone on my flight shows why the US military is the best in the world.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Today started off pretty well. I saw the Iraqi Police actually be proactive and cordon off a suspicious abandoned vehicle parked on the side of the road. When my patrol showed up, they already had the street blocked and waiting for is K9. Around 5pm the IZ got hit by over 10 rockets. Luckily nobody was killed. The Iraqi Police showed up to one of the impact sites and helped direct traffic. They requested American to help because people didn't want to listen to them. I tried to explain to them that they need to portray a stern image and do not back down when people don't want to listen to them. It's really hard to make them realize if the people do not respect them. They also wont' trust them when a emergency happens. This is one of the many problems I see in this country.
The Iraqi Police did piss me off today. Some were talking down to one of our Iraqi translators, because she is a woman. I wanted to say something. However, she told me I didn't want the Iraqi Police to used me standing up for her against her. She said this is Iraqi culture, and do not worry about it. I wanted to say this is why their country is so screwed up and if more Iraqis were just like our friend the US wouldn't have to be here right now.
I am very fortunate to have the people I work with here. I feel they bring out the best in me. Every incident I see how well our team performs. Sometimes a mistake happens, but we just learn from them. Everyone on my flight shows why the US military is the best in the world.
Delilah
Original post date:
Sunday, April 15, 2007
I found out the Iraqi translator's death was not caused by US forces. The driver was going to fast and rolled the car. Even though the US military didn't directly cause the accident, she wouldn't have been on that road going to Jordan to try to get a VISA if the Air Force pushed her paperwork faster. Today a friend of another translator called "Kitty" died in the Sadr City by terrorists.
I met a family that was helping to take care of their daughter's children because her husband died in the Iraqi Army by insurgents. There are eight people living in a trailer that was originally meant to be an office. They had so many set backs in their life that it would take to long to mention. However they still offered me to eat with them. The seventeen year old daughter talked to me about college and her future. She always had a smile on her face. It saddens me that if the US didn't invade Iraq, she might of had a better chance. They would be living in an apartment instead of having to flee to a old trailer. I don't believe it's the completely the US's fault. If it wasn't for Al Qaeda, Hizbollah, and other terrorist groups, this country would be back on it's feet and a lot less bloodshed would have happened with both Iraqis and Americans. The US can't leave now and has to help get this country back on it's feet.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
I found out the Iraqi translator's death was not caused by US forces. The driver was going to fast and rolled the car. Even though the US military didn't directly cause the accident, she wouldn't have been on that road going to Jordan to try to get a VISA if the Air Force pushed her paperwork faster. Today a friend of another translator called "Kitty" died in the Sadr City by terrorists.
I met a family that was helping to take care of their daughter's children because her husband died in the Iraqi Army by insurgents. There are eight people living in a trailer that was originally meant to be an office. They had so many set backs in their life that it would take to long to mention. However they still offered me to eat with them. The seventeen year old daughter talked to me about college and her future. She always had a smile on her face. It saddens me that if the US didn't invade Iraq, she might of had a better chance. They would be living in an apartment instead of having to flee to a old trailer. I don't believe it's the completely the US's fault. If it wasn't for Al Qaeda, Hizbollah, and other terrorist groups, this country would be back on it's feet and a lot less bloodshed would have happened with both Iraqis and Americans. The US can't leave now and has to help get this country back on it's feet.
Different Lives, same body count.
Original post date:
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Today, I found out our Iraqi translator died in that accident. There was suicide bomber that struck the Convention Centre in my Area of Operations a few days ago. He killed eight people and wounded over 20. My flight had to help with the emergency response. That is one situation I hope for my flight members that it won't happen again. I was luckily I was off today. I found out about the bombing like most people in the world, CNN. However, there was a part of me that wanted to be there to help my flight. Some of these airman are so young and have never came close to the emotions these situation cause. Even with the bias view of the news, they still don't show the full effect of this war is having on this generation.
Today, I was walking back to my room and it just hit me about how my Iraqi friend's family is feeling right now. How she was the primary care giver for her family and how they just moved into a new apartment because of her higher income. I can't stop thinking about how her family is basically screwed up beyond repair. My Unit is collecting money for her family. However it won't be a steady income. Sadly, in a few months we will forget about her. Not because we don't care, but because of how busy we are here dealing with situations in the IZ. Her family will always be thinking about her and they will never be as good as when she was alive. Her death was not the news. She just joined the rising Iraqi Body Count. She was doing more for her country than that Parliament member that died during the suicide attack. She deserved much better than this.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Today, I found out our Iraqi translator died in that accident. There was suicide bomber that struck the Convention Centre in my Area of Operations a few days ago. He killed eight people and wounded over 20. My flight had to help with the emergency response. That is one situation I hope for my flight members that it won't happen again. I was luckily I was off today. I found out about the bombing like most people in the world, CNN. However, there was a part of me that wanted to be there to help my flight. Some of these airman are so young and have never came close to the emotions these situation cause. Even with the bias view of the news, they still don't show the full effect of this war is having on this generation.
Today, I was walking back to my room and it just hit me about how my Iraqi friend's family is feeling right now. How she was the primary care giver for her family and how they just moved into a new apartment because of her higher income. I can't stop thinking about how her family is basically screwed up beyond repair. My Unit is collecting money for her family. However it won't be a steady income. Sadly, in a few months we will forget about her. Not because we don't care, but because of how busy we are here dealing with situations in the IZ. Her family will always be thinking about her and they will never be as good as when she was alive. Her death was not the news. She just joined the rising Iraqi Body Count. She was doing more for her country than that Parliament member that died during the suicide attack. She deserved much better than this.
VISAs
Original post date:
Monday, April 09, 2007
I found out one of our translators was severely injured on her way to Jordan. Early reports is she was involved in an auto-mobile accident with a military convoy. She was the only one to survived the accident. She has helped the US for many years. Now, this is how the US repaid her, by causing the accident. She wanted to go to the US and the Air Force was stalling her VISA. This was the reason she went on her trip. She was trying to get a VISA through Jordan.
This was the first time I looked at the Iraqi Body Count as more than a number. I realized that basically everyone in Baghdad knew someone that was wounded or killed in the last 4 years. I wonder how many Iraqis have wounded like our translator. I am not saying all of them are directly caused by the US, most of them are caused by Islamic radicals. However, if it wasn't for the US, this chaos would have not been happening in Iraq. This country needs help. There are so many threats out there a normal for a normal Iraqi. They could die from Shia radicals, former Baath party members, Sunni extremists, Al Qaeda, Hizbollah, Hamas, just criminals (Saddam let out over 200,000 dangerous criminals when we invaded), or a speeding military convoy.
There is another Iraqi Translator named "MJ". When we found out about our friend, I asked what he felt about the us in Iraq. MJ still supports it and knows the US means well. It wasn't the first time I talked to him about this whole situation. I really don't see how MJ can still help the US, with all the threats made against him from terrorists. I don't know how he does it. He is younger than me and when I first talk to him, I thought he was older. I guess four years of war will quickly mature someone. When I talk to MJ, it makes me have hope that Iraq will have a brighter future.
Monday, April 09, 2007
I found out one of our translators was severely injured on her way to Jordan. Early reports is she was involved in an auto-mobile accident with a military convoy. She was the only one to survived the accident. She has helped the US for many years. Now, this is how the US repaid her, by causing the accident. She wanted to go to the US and the Air Force was stalling her VISA. This was the reason she went on her trip. She was trying to get a VISA through Jordan.
This was the first time I looked at the Iraqi Body Count as more than a number. I realized that basically everyone in Baghdad knew someone that was wounded or killed in the last 4 years. I wonder how many Iraqis have wounded like our translator. I am not saying all of them are directly caused by the US, most of them are caused by Islamic radicals. However, if it wasn't for the US, this chaos would have not been happening in Iraq. This country needs help. There are so many threats out there a normal for a normal Iraqi. They could die from Shia radicals, former Baath party members, Sunni extremists, Al Qaeda, Hizbollah, Hamas, just criminals (Saddam let out over 200,000 dangerous criminals when we invaded), or a speeding military convoy.
There is another Iraqi Translator named "MJ". When we found out about our friend, I asked what he felt about the us in Iraq. MJ still supports it and knows the US means well. It wasn't the first time I talked to him about this whole situation. I really don't see how MJ can still help the US, with all the threats made against him from terrorists. I don't know how he does it. He is younger than me and when I first talk to him, I thought he was older. I guess four years of war will quickly mature someone. When I talk to MJ, it makes me have hope that Iraq will have a brighter future.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Dodge City
Original post date:
Sunday, April 01, 2007
The middle of March was a baptism by fire for my unit. Insurgent forces assaulted the IZ with rocket attacks for about 6 days straight. One of those days I was posted with SrA Whitfield. Whitfield is stationed at Nellis AFB with my brother. Earlier in the day, we had a discussion about how she didn't like the President and his polices. However, when the rocket hit and we were first on scene, politics went out the window. Four people were injured, and Whitfield ran to perform first aid on one of them. It hit a large trailer that held a few offices and I went through the rubble for any other casualties. I was luckily to have Whitfield with me. She had recent Combat Lifesaver training and having a medical bag. The guy she was treating had a really bad wound on his leg and was peppered with shrapnel. This was more than enough for this deployment, sadly that wouldn't be the last.
Two days later there was other rocket attack with three casualties. I wasn't the first on scene, but Whitfield again was there working on a young woman that worked for KBR. I did not deal with another major rocket attack, especially where it hit. It was pretty close to my trailer. I walk by there everyday to work. Personally I am glad I wasn't first on scene, I might have not performed as I did at the last attack. Two of the injured stopped breathing and ultimately died. It demoralized a lot of us. Our leadership gave us a speech on how well we did and sometimes know matter how hard you tried to save someone it might not happen. They tried to prepare us for more attacks and not to allow the terrorists to stop our resolve in our mission here.
Indirect fire is expected. No matter how hard you try to secure an area. You can't stop indirect fire, especially when it is happening in a city that is as big as Baghdad. However, all the intelligence we have received and other incidents going on around us. This place is about as fortified as Dodge City over hundred years ago. Where my comrades and I are the marshals. The people I work with are the only people here I trust. In the IZ, you really don't know who the enemy is here.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
The middle of March was a baptism by fire for my unit. Insurgent forces assaulted the IZ with rocket attacks for about 6 days straight. One of those days I was posted with SrA Whitfield. Whitfield is stationed at Nellis AFB with my brother. Earlier in the day, we had a discussion about how she didn't like the President and his polices. However, when the rocket hit and we were first on scene, politics went out the window. Four people were injured, and Whitfield ran to perform first aid on one of them. It hit a large trailer that held a few offices and I went through the rubble for any other casualties. I was luckily to have Whitfield with me. She had recent Combat Lifesaver training and having a medical bag. The guy she was treating had a really bad wound on his leg and was peppered with shrapnel. This was more than enough for this deployment, sadly that wouldn't be the last.
Two days later there was other rocket attack with three casualties. I wasn't the first on scene, but Whitfield again was there working on a young woman that worked for KBR. I did not deal with another major rocket attack, especially where it hit. It was pretty close to my trailer. I walk by there everyday to work. Personally I am glad I wasn't first on scene, I might have not performed as I did at the last attack. Two of the injured stopped breathing and ultimately died. It demoralized a lot of us. Our leadership gave us a speech on how well we did and sometimes know matter how hard you tried to save someone it might not happen. They tried to prepare us for more attacks and not to allow the terrorists to stop our resolve in our mission here.
Indirect fire is expected. No matter how hard you try to secure an area. You can't stop indirect fire, especially when it is happening in a city that is as big as Baghdad. However, all the intelligence we have received and other incidents going on around us. This place is about as fortified as Dodge City over hundred years ago. Where my comrades and I are the marshals. The people I work with are the only people here I trust. In the IZ, you really don't know who the enemy is here.
Dissociation
I got home from work a few hours ago. I have realized I need to dissociate with people when I respond to scenes. Today, I responded to a person that was applying for a job in the IZ and their background check came up they were permanently banned from working on a coalition base. I had to investigate to see if she posed any threat, either to detain or escort her out of the IZ. Her basic story is she got fired for personal reasons and she wasn't a security threat. She was about as short as my mother and was basically her same age.
I really can't get into her back story. Only that she was in jail during Saddam's reign and she has sacrificed her whole life to work for the Americans. I told her to get a hold of the company that fired her and get them to lift the ban. So while she was basically telling me that she was a good person and wanted nothing but to help the Americans help her country. I was escorting her out of the IZ. Finally, holding back her tears, walked out of the checkpoint. I thought about how much she reminded me of my mother. How angry I would be if someone did this to my mother. How much I would wondered why my mother still wanted to help the Americans.
I really can't get into her back story. Only that she was in jail during Saddam's reign and she has sacrificed her whole life to work for the Americans. I told her to get a hold of the company that fired her and get them to lift the ban. So while she was basically telling me that she was a good person and wanted nothing but to help the Americans help her country. I was escorting her out of the IZ. Finally, holding back her tears, walked out of the checkpoint. I thought about how much she reminded me of my mother. How angry I would be if someone did this to my mother. How much I would wondered why my mother still wanted to help the Americans.
Green Zone
Original post date:
Friday, March 30, 2007
I have been in the International Zone or Green Zone for about a month now. This is one of the most different tasks I have ever being told to do in the military. When I was first told that I wasn't going to deploy on a team heading for Kirkuk, Iraq and I was switched to the team going to IZ in Baghdad. I thought doing Law Enforcement in the "Heavily Fortified" Green Zone would be almost a waste. "They want me to do Law Enforcement in the middle of a war zone? This is going to be a crappy mission. I rather be doing base security than dealing with military members stealing from the BX," I thought.
One of my first days I experienced something I remember from my past deployment, a rocket attack. However, this one was different. I was driving down one of the main roads in the Green Zone, a 120mm rocket hit a building within 50 meters from where I was. If it wasn't for the building and a barrier wall between us, the rocket probably would have hit in front of me. It didn't phase me much since it wasn't my first time in Iraq and was accustomed to dealing with mortar or rocket attacks. I cordoned off the area, looked for any other wounded, and secured with the scene.
Other than the rocket, the first three weeks were pretty calm. I found out mostly what we deal with are escort violations, which are Iraqis that are in the Green Zone, that need a escort, and are not with them. I found out a lot of Iraqis are not supposed to be in IZ. I realized that I was not patrolling a secure base like Davis Monthan in Tucson AZ, but it is more like a city. That there are so many different groups, US military, coalition forces, Iraqi Government, civilian contractors (Lots of them), and squatters (Iraqis that aren't allow in the IZ). Also everyone is armed from the US military, US government contractors, Iraqis officals, to PSDs (Private Security Details). Some of the civilians here have guns illegally. My first week we had the biggest bust to date, We seized over 115 weapons from a illegal armory owned by Private Security firm.
I also meant our Iraqi Translators. I really can't say much because of the risk they take by helping US forces try to better their country. I have learned much from them since I have been here, especially one called "Lisa." She has taught me a lot about what is going on here. All the hardships she has dealt with in her life she still has time to smile and enjoy some parts of life. All the stories the translators have told me make me realize that I am extremely fortunate to have been born in the US. I realize that our country owes these Iraqis that have risked and lost so much for the mission over here.
I have never written a private journal before. I thought it might help me deal with some of the stuff I feel over here. This deployment will be with me for the rest of my life. I will try to write more about my first month later.
Friday, March 30, 2007
I have been in the International Zone or Green Zone for about a month now. This is one of the most different tasks I have ever being told to do in the military. When I was first told that I wasn't going to deploy on a team heading for Kirkuk, Iraq and I was switched to the team going to IZ in Baghdad. I thought doing Law Enforcement in the "Heavily Fortified" Green Zone would be almost a waste. "They want me to do Law Enforcement in the middle of a war zone? This is going to be a crappy mission. I rather be doing base security than dealing with military members stealing from the BX," I thought.
One of my first days I experienced something I remember from my past deployment, a rocket attack. However, this one was different. I was driving down one of the main roads in the Green Zone, a 120mm rocket hit a building within 50 meters from where I was. If it wasn't for the building and a barrier wall between us, the rocket probably would have hit in front of me. It didn't phase me much since it wasn't my first time in Iraq and was accustomed to dealing with mortar or rocket attacks. I cordoned off the area, looked for any other wounded, and secured with the scene.
Other than the rocket, the first three weeks were pretty calm. I found out mostly what we deal with are escort violations, which are Iraqis that are in the Green Zone, that need a escort, and are not with them. I found out a lot of Iraqis are not supposed to be in IZ. I realized that I was not patrolling a secure base like Davis Monthan in Tucson AZ, but it is more like a city. That there are so many different groups, US military, coalition forces, Iraqi Government, civilian contractors (Lots of them), and squatters (Iraqis that aren't allow in the IZ). Also everyone is armed from the US military, US government contractors, Iraqis officals, to PSDs (Private Security Details). Some of the civilians here have guns illegally. My first week we had the biggest bust to date, We seized over 115 weapons from a illegal armory owned by Private Security firm.
I also meant our Iraqi Translators. I really can't say much because of the risk they take by helping US forces try to better their country. I have learned much from them since I have been here, especially one called "Lisa." She has taught me a lot about what is going on here. All the hardships she has dealt with in her life she still has time to smile and enjoy some parts of life. All the stories the translators have told me make me realize that I am extremely fortunate to have been born in the US. I realize that our country owes these Iraqis that have risked and lost so much for the mission over here.
I have never written a private journal before. I thought it might help me deal with some of the stuff I feel over here. This deployment will be with me for the rest of my life. I will try to write more about my first month later.
My Drunken Rant.
I wrote these blogs in 2007 when I was being deployed to Baghdad. I wrote them on Myspace while I was overseas, basically just to vent while I was over there. They were all private until now. Just in case they are lost on Myspace somehow, I thought I would post them here. This first blog was a drunken rant I wrote before I was deployed. It was after watching the nightly news and seeming the whole country was against what I and my friends were about to do over there.
Original Post Date:
Saturday, February 10, 2007
If you don't want to read a drunken rant from a disgruntle soldier don't read the rest..
I was just thinking about stuff, since I am watching ALOT of my friends getting ready to deploy and I am personally getting ready to go down range also. Some of them of people that don't support this war in Iraq, however everyone I work with understands the importance that the world needs to confront the biggest threat of our time of Radical Islam. I understand that there are millions of Muslims that don't feel the way that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Osama Bin Laden, Sadr, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (Hisbollah Leader). However in Middle East many Muslims don't stand up for their moderate beliefs and those that do need the support of nations that oppose this radical ideology. I have met many Arabs, Turks, Persions, Pakistanis that I was proud of knowing them. Every time I come back from the Middle East, either from Qatar, Oman, Iraq or Saudi Arabia, I understand the value of the way of life many of us take for granted. Because basically everyone I have ever met ask me how they could come to the United States.
I see the overwhelming opposition of the war in Iraq. I do understand their concern, because since before this conflict began the Bush Administration have made bad decision after bad decision when conducting this war. However, I agree that Bush does understand the threat that is growing in the Middle East and the rest of the world. Most of people I work with do believe that we need to send more troops, the only thing that is getting to us is that increased ops tempo that our career field is getting repeatedly hammered by multiple taskings in the war. Which has cause my career field to have to do 7-9 month deployments back to back. Basically meaning people get back to the home station and within 4 to 6 months they are either going to training to deploy half way across the country away from their families or going directly to the war zone. I myself and some of my friends are going to deploy and are not coming back until Halloween. The problem isn't that we are leaving so often, but how most of the Air Force is only doing 4 month deployments every 12 to 15 months. Some don't ever deploy for their whole enlistment. Personally I feel some people don't pull their weight in my service.
Another thing that is hurting moral to my friends and myself is that we know we don't have the support of the people in this country for our mission. Don't get me wrong I do meet a lot of people that respect our servicemen. I do feel you can still be patriotic and still don't support the war. Most people I feel that don't support this war still love this country. I posted in a previous blog these feelings...
"I believe alot of people that is against the war are still for the troops. The ones are impatient on us winning the war and establishing democracy. I tell them be patient, let us do our job. I just see that alot of people seem to find satisfaction in when they hear that there is a set back in Iraq. Because in their opinion that is making the Bush Administration look bad. Overall everyone should want us to win the war. I can understand if people, not because they want the Bush Adm to fail but because the think that the cost is to high for the results. But like I said, if you ONLY want us to lose this war to make our current govn't look bad there is something wrong with you. In Iraq there is alot more at stake than that."
However I wish people would give us the support we need over there. I wish that the United States would be united against people in Iraq that are tormenting, torturing and basically murdering people in Iraq that are putting their lives and the lives of their families on the line for the future of their country. The Iraqi soldiers that truly are fighting against the people that are against allowing people to pick the pursuit of happiness. It pisses me off when people say that the people that are using IEDs, suicide vests, and mortars to kill people shopping for food "fighting for Iraq" The soldiers I worked with are fighting for Iraq. They are the patriots in Iraq. I was honored to have a small part of being on patrols with them help defending their families and their country that over half the Iraqi population risks their lives to vote for.
Please I beg for the people to just allow us to finish this or at least give us the support we need to try this last time to help the Iraqi people take control of their country against radical clerics like Sadr and his militia and the Sunnis that are repeating attacking Shiite mosques. I have been thinking these last few weeks on how hard it is going to be to be over in Iraq, when most of this country doesn't care anymore if the US wins this. Don't let the 3 deployments I have been on in support of Iraqi Freedom and the years I have spent away from my wife be in vain. Iraq is the central front against this radical ideology and if we don't succeed it will prove the words of the Mao Zedong.
"In appearance it is very powerful but in reality it is nothing to be afraid of; it is a paper tiger. Outwardly a tiger, it is made of paper, unable to withstand the wind and the rain. I believe the United States is nothing but a paper tiger."
The United States can not be a Paper Tiger in the 21st Century. Our children need more than that. I an willing to do anything to win this fight. I am willing to put my marriage and my life on the line for this, I wish to god that this country would be united to support this.....
Original Post Date:
Saturday, February 10, 2007
If you don't want to read a drunken rant from a disgruntle soldier don't read the rest..
I was just thinking about stuff, since I am watching ALOT of my friends getting ready to deploy and I am personally getting ready to go down range also. Some of them of people that don't support this war in Iraq, however everyone I work with understands the importance that the world needs to confront the biggest threat of our time of Radical Islam. I understand that there are millions of Muslims that don't feel the way that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Osama Bin Laden, Sadr, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (Hisbollah Leader). However in Middle East many Muslims don't stand up for their moderate beliefs and those that do need the support of nations that oppose this radical ideology. I have met many Arabs, Turks, Persions, Pakistanis that I was proud of knowing them. Every time I come back from the Middle East, either from Qatar, Oman, Iraq or Saudi Arabia, I understand the value of the way of life many of us take for granted. Because basically everyone I have ever met ask me how they could come to the United States.
I see the overwhelming opposition of the war in Iraq. I do understand their concern, because since before this conflict began the Bush Administration have made bad decision after bad decision when conducting this war. However, I agree that Bush does understand the threat that is growing in the Middle East and the rest of the world. Most of people I work with do believe that we need to send more troops, the only thing that is getting to us is that increased ops tempo that our career field is getting repeatedly hammered by multiple taskings in the war. Which has cause my career field to have to do 7-9 month deployments back to back. Basically meaning people get back to the home station and within 4 to 6 months they are either going to training to deploy half way across the country away from their families or going directly to the war zone. I myself and some of my friends are going to deploy and are not coming back until Halloween. The problem isn't that we are leaving so often, but how most of the Air Force is only doing 4 month deployments every 12 to 15 months. Some don't ever deploy for their whole enlistment. Personally I feel some people don't pull their weight in my service.
Another thing that is hurting moral to my friends and myself is that we know we don't have the support of the people in this country for our mission. Don't get me wrong I do meet a lot of people that respect our servicemen. I do feel you can still be patriotic and still don't support the war. Most people I feel that don't support this war still love this country. I posted in a previous blog these feelings...
"I believe alot of people that is against the war are still for the troops. The ones are impatient on us winning the war and establishing democracy. I tell them be patient, let us do our job. I just see that alot of people seem to find satisfaction in when they hear that there is a set back in Iraq. Because in their opinion that is making the Bush Administration look bad. Overall everyone should want us to win the war. I can understand if people, not because they want the Bush Adm to fail but because the think that the cost is to high for the results. But like I said, if you ONLY want us to lose this war to make our current govn't look bad there is something wrong with you. In Iraq there is alot more at stake than that."
However I wish people would give us the support we need over there. I wish that the United States would be united against people in Iraq that are tormenting, torturing and basically murdering people in Iraq that are putting their lives and the lives of their families on the line for the future of their country. The Iraqi soldiers that truly are fighting against the people that are against allowing people to pick the pursuit of happiness. It pisses me off when people say that the people that are using IEDs, suicide vests, and mortars to kill people shopping for food "fighting for Iraq" The soldiers I worked with are fighting for Iraq. They are the patriots in Iraq. I was honored to have a small part of being on patrols with them help defending their families and their country that over half the Iraqi population risks their lives to vote for.
Please I beg for the people to just allow us to finish this or at least give us the support we need to try this last time to help the Iraqi people take control of their country against radical clerics like Sadr and his militia and the Sunnis that are repeating attacking Shiite mosques. I have been thinking these last few weeks on how hard it is going to be to be over in Iraq, when most of this country doesn't care anymore if the US wins this. Don't let the 3 deployments I have been on in support of Iraqi Freedom and the years I have spent away from my wife be in vain. Iraq is the central front against this radical ideology and if we don't succeed it will prove the words of the Mao Zedong.
"In appearance it is very powerful but in reality it is nothing to be afraid of; it is a paper tiger. Outwardly a tiger, it is made of paper, unable to withstand the wind and the rain. I believe the United States is nothing but a paper tiger."
The United States can not be a Paper Tiger in the 21st Century. Our children need more than that. I an willing to do anything to win this fight. I am willing to put my marriage and my life on the line for this, I wish to god that this country would be united to support this.....
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